Rotating member for removing the calyx of small fruits, device for removing the calyx of small fruits

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a rotating member with a configuration that can remove the stems of small fruits in a manner different from conventional methods. [Solution] A rotating member for removing the stems of small fruits, which rotates around a rotation axis, and is characterized by comprising a mesh-like member positioned radially outward from the rotation axis, which rotates together with the rotation axis and can remove the stems of small fruits when they come into contact with it.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a rotating member for removing pedicels of small fruits and a device for removing pedicels of small fruits for removing pedicels of small fruits. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Conventionally, as a method for removing pedicels of fruits, a method of sandwiching the pedicels with two rollers and pulling them out from the fruit body has been mainly adopted. 【0003】 Patent Document 1 discloses a device for removing pedicels of fruits, which includes a three-stage roll bed arranged in a stepped manner from the upstream side to the downstream side where the fruits are conveyed. By rotating adjacent rolls in opposite directions in each roll bed, the fruits can be moved while rolling from the upstream side to the downstream side, and the pedicels of the fruits sandwiched between the adjacent rolls can be captured and removed. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0004】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 54-089075 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0005】 The inventor of the present invention has earnestly studied a method for removing pedicels, paying particular attention to small fruits, and has conceived that the pedicels of small fruits can be removed with a configuration different from the conventional one (a configuration in which the pedicels are sandwiched with two rollers and pulled out from the fruit body). 【0006】 That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a rotating member having a configuration capable of removing pedicels of small fruits by a method different from the conventional one. 【Means for Solving the Problems】 【0007】 To solve the above problems, the present invention provides (1) a rotating member for removing the stems of small fruits, which rotates about a rotation axis, and is equipped with a mesh-like member that is arranged radially outward from the rotation axis and rotates together with the rotation axis, and is capable of removing the stems of small fruits when they come into contact with it. 【0008】 (2) The rotating member for removing the stem of a small fruit according to (1), characterized in that the mesh-like member is stretched with a predetermined tension so that when a small fruit is pressed and its stem comes into contact with the mesh-like member in a rotating state in which the rotating member rotates around the axis, the stem can be removed. 【0009】 (3) The rotating member for removing the stems of small fruits according to (2), further comprising a support arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft to support the mesh-like member. 【0010】 (4) The rotating member for removing the stems of small fruits according to (3), wherein the mesh-like member is arranged on the outer surface of the support, and the support has the flexibility to prevent the small fruits from being crushed when they are pressed against the support in the rotating state. 【0011】 (5) The rotating member for removing the stems of small fruits according to (2), characterized in that the mesh-like member is made of a material that resists the movement of the stems of small fruits when it comes into contact with the stems of the small fruits in the rotating state. 【0012】 (6) The rotating member for removing the stems of small fruits according to (2), characterized in that the linear members constituting the mesh member, which are arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions, have a surface shape that resists the movement of the stems of small fruits when they come into contact with the stems of the small fruits in the rotating state. 【0013】 (7) The rotating member for removing the stems of small fruits according to (1), characterized in that the mesh opening of the mesh portion of the mesh member is 3 mm or more and 15 mm or less. 【0014】 (8) The small fruit is a mini tomato, a rotating member for removing the stem of a small fruit as described in any one of (1) to (7). 【0015】 (9) A device for removing the calyx of small fruits, characterized in that it comprises the rotating member described in (1). 【0016】 (10) The apparatus for removing the stems of small fruits according to (9), characterized in that the rotating member is provided with a pressing part for pressing small fruits. 【0017】 (11) The small fruit stem removal device according to (10), characterized in that the pressing portion is composed of a pressing roll having an axis direction that coincides with the axis direction of the rotating member. 【0018】 (12) The small fruit stem removal device according to (11), characterized in that, when the small fruit stem removal device is driven, the rotation direction of the pressing roll coincides with the rotation direction of the rotating member. 【0019】 (13) The small fruit stem removal device according to (12), wherein the pressing section comprises a first pressing roll positioned directly below the rotating member, and a second pressing roll and a third pressing roll positioned adjacent to the rotating member and the first pressing roll, the second pressing roll and the third pressing roll being positioned symmetrically with respect to the rotating member and the first pressing roll. 【0020】 (14) The small fruit stem removal device according to (13), characterized in that the first pressing roll, the second pressing roll, and the third pressing roll convey the small fruit in the axial direction. 【0021】 (15) The small fruit stem removal device according to (9), characterized in that the rotating member is attached to a gripping device held by the user and is configured to be portable. [Effects of the Invention] 【0022】 According to the present invention, the stalk of small fruits can be removed with a configuration different from the conventional one (a configuration in which the stalk is sandwiched between two rollers and pulled out from the fruit body). 【Brief Description of the Drawings】 【0023】 [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a rotating member for removing the stalk of small fruits in the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is an enlarged view of the mesh member. [Figure 3] It is a schematic view showing the flow of removing the stalk of small fruits by the mesh member. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view of the rotating member in the second embodiment cut along the axial direction. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view of the rotating member in the third embodiment cut along the axial direction. [Figure 6] It is a plan view of the schematic configuration of the device for removing the stalk in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a view taken in the direction of arrow A-A of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] It is a schematic view of the device for removing the stalk in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a modified example of the device for removing the stalk when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating member. 【Modes for Carrying Out the Invention】 【0024】 <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, the first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotating member for removing the stalk of small fruits in the present embodiment. Examples of small fruits include, for example, cherry tomatoes, cherries, grapes, and acerolas. In the present embodiment, cherry tomatoes are exemplified as small fruits. 【0025】 Referring to Figure 1, the rotating member 1 comprises a rotating shaft 11 and a mesh member 12. The mesh member 12 is positioned radially outward from the rotating shaft 11 and rotates together with the rotating shaft 11 to remove the stem of a small fruit when it comes into contact with it. The mesh member 12 is stretched with a tension (hereinafter also referred to as removal tension) that allows it to remove the stem when a small fruit is pressed and its stem comes into contact with the mesh member 12 while the rotating member 1 is rotating around its axis (hereinafter also referred to as the rotating state). In this embodiment, the removal tension is made possible by positioning a support 13 that supports the mesh member 12 on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 11 and positioning the mesh member 12 on the outer circumferential surface of the support 13. This point will be described in detail later. The rotation speed of the rotating member 1 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 90 r / min or more and 1400 r / min or less. 【0026】 <Regarding support 13> The support 13 is made of a flexible material and, in the rotational state, rotates together with the mesh member 12 around its axis. Because the support 13 is flexible, by placing the mesh member 12 on the outer circumferential surface of the support 13, the restoring force of the support 13 causes the mesh member 12 to spread radially outward. As a result, the tension of the mesh member 12 in the circumferential direction increases, and thus a release tension can be applied to the mesh member 12. 【0027】 Furthermore, because the support 13 is flexible, even when small fruits are pressed against the support 13 to remove their stems while rotating, the small fruits are not crushed. Examples of such flexible materials include foamed resin, rubber material, elastomer, sponge material, and fiber aggregate. 【0028】 The support 13 may consist of only one member or may be composed of a combination of multiple members. The shape of the support 13 is not particularly limited, but may be cylindrical, elliptical, polygonal, etc. Alternatively, the support 13 may be formed by arranging multiple support components radially outside the rotation axis 11 at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction. In this case, the support 13 will have a shape in which notches cut out along the axial direction are formed at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction. In this case, the number of notches is not particularly limited. 【0029】 <Regarding the mesh-like member 12> The mesh member 12 is positioned radially outward from the rotation axis 11 and rotates with the rotation axis 11, allowing it to remove the stem of a small fruit when it comes into contact with it. In this embodiment, as described above, since the mesh member 12 is positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the flexible support 13, the restoring force of the support 13 causes the mesh member 12 to spread radially outward, increasing the tension of the mesh member 12 in the circumferential direction and applying a removal tension to the mesh member 12. 【0030】 The mesh member 12 is attached to and supported by the support 13 in various ways. The method of attaching the mesh member 12 to the support 13 is not particularly limited as long as it can be used to apply release tension, but since the mesh member 12 is subjected to the restoring force of the support 13 when it is placed on the outer surface of the support 13, thereby applying release tension to the mesh member 12, it is preferable to use an attachment method that pushes the support 13 radially inward. Examples of methods for attaching the mesh member 12 to the support 13 include wrapping, bonding, press-fitting, inserting, and fastening with fastening members. 【0031】 The material of the mesh member 12 is not particularly limited as long as it is a material to which removal tension can be applied, but examples include metal, resin, cloth, porous structure, etc. To make the removal of the stem easier, the mesh member 12 is preferably made of a material that resists the movement of the stem of the small fruit when it comes into contact with the stem of the small fruit in the rotating state, and is preferably made of polyethylene. Furthermore, the mesh member 12 is preferably made of a flexible material so that the small fruit is not crushed when it is pressed against the support 13 so that the stem of the small fruit can be removed in the rotating state, and is preferably made of a sponge material. 【0032】 Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the mesh member. Referring to Figure 2, the mesh member 12 is constructed by arranging linear members 120 substantially evenly in the vertical and horizontal directions. The linear members 120 are not particularly limited, but for example, commercially available linear members may be used as is, or multiple members may be combined to form the linear members 120. To make the removal of the calyx easier, the linear members 120 preferably have a surface shape that resists the movement of the calyx of the small fruit when in contact with it in a rotating state, and for example, it is preferable to use linear members 120 that are made by twisting multiple linear members together. 【0033】 The mesh opening of the mesh portion V of the mesh member 12 is not particularly limited, as long as at least a portion of the stem of a small fruit can be inserted through it. The mesh opening refers to the dimension of the mesh portion V of the mesh member 12, and means the distance between two linear members 120 that are adjacent to each other and extend parallel in a predetermined direction within the mesh member 12. 【0034】 Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the process of removing the calyx of a small fruit using a mesh-like member. Referring to Figure 3, when a small fruit P is pressed and at least a portion of the calyx P1 of the small fruit P is inserted into the mesh portion V of the mesh-like member 12, the rotating member 1 (mesh-like member 12) rotates, causing the mesh-like member 12 (linear member 120) with removal tension to come into contact with the calyx P1 and remove the calyx P1. 【0035】 Preferably, the mesh opening of the mesh portion V of the mesh member 12 is such that at least a portion of the calyx P1 of the small fruit P can be inserted through, but the fruit portion P2 of the small fruit P cannot be inserted through. With this configuration, the probability of the mesh member 12 (linear member 120) coming into contact with the calyx P1 is increased, so that the calyx P1 of the small fruit P can be removed more efficiently. 【0036】 Referring to Figure 2, the gap distance R1 between two adjacent linear members 120a extending parallel to each other in the vertical direction and the gap distance R2 between two adjacent linear members 120b extending parallel to each other in the horizontal direction may be the same value or may be different values. For example, by setting both the gap distance R1 and the gap distance R2 to 3 mm or more and 15 mm or less, the mesh opening of the mesh portion V can be set to a size that allows the calyx P1 of a small fruit P to pass through but prevents the fruit portion P2 of the small fruit P from passing through. 【0037】 The direction in which the linear members 120 are arranged (the axial direction of the linear members 120 in the mesh member 12) is not limited to being arranged in two directions with a 90-degree intersection angle, as shown in Figure 2, but may also be arranged in three directions with a 60-degree intersection angle, for example. 【0038】 The mesh member 12 may be configured to be detachable from the support 13. This configuration allows only the mesh member 12 to be removed from the support 13 for cleaning, thus simplifying the cleaning process. Furthermore, this configuration allows only the mesh member 12 to be replaced if it is damaged, eliminating the need to replace the support 13 along with it, which is cost-effective. On the other hand, the mesh member 12 may be integrally molded with the support 13. With this configuration, the mesh member 12 is less likely to detach from the support 13 due to a decrease in mounting force, thus reducing the effort required to reattach the mesh member 12 to the support 13. Known integral molding methods can be used as the method for integrally molding the support 13 and the mesh member 12. 【0039】 When the mesh member 12 is attached to the support 13, the mesh member 12 may be arranged on the support 13 in a spiral or cylindrical shape. 【0040】 <Regarding the rotation axis 11> The material of the rotating shaft 11 is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that has rigidity to resist the centrifugal force on the mesh member 12 and the support 13 in the rotating state, but for example, it can be an aluminum alloy. 【0041】 <Second Embodiment> In the second embodiment, another form of the rotating member will be described. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the rotating member in the second embodiment, cut along the axial direction. 【0042】 Referring to Figure 4, the rotating member 2 in the second embodiment differs from the rotating member 1 in the first embodiment in the material and arrangement of the support. Specifically, the support 23 of the rotating member 2 in the second embodiment is made of a rigid material and is arranged in multiples with intervals T along the axial direction of the rotation axis 21. In this configuration, the mesh member 22 is arranged across the outer circumferential surface of the support 23 and the gap T between the support 23 arranged along the axial direction. With this configuration, the mesh member 22 is pulled along the axial direction in the gap T between the support 23, so the tension of the mesh member 22 in the axial direction increases, and a release tension can be applied to the mesh member 22. 【0043】 The material of the support 23 is not particularly limited as long as it can impart suction tension to the mesh member 22, so the support 23 may be made of a flexible material. However, a support 23 made of a rigid material will have less deformation before and after the attachment of the mesh member 22, which will increase the axial tension of the mesh member 22 in the gap T between the support 23s. Therefore, from the viewpoint of reinforcing the tension of the mesh member 22, it is preferable to make the support 23 of a rigid material. Examples of rigid materials that make up the support 23 include metal and plastic, but from the viewpoint of food hygiene, stainless steel is particularly preferred. 【0044】 The number of support members 23 arranged at axial distances is not particularly limited, as long as there are two or more. The axial distances between the support members 23 may be equal, or at least some of the distances may be different. 【0045】 If the support 23 is made of a hard material, there is a risk that small fruits may come into contact with the support 23 and be damaged, or that small fruits may come into contact with the support 23 while being pressed and be crushed. Therefore, referring to Figure 4, it is preferable to provide a separator 24 that surrounds the radially outer portion of the mesh member 22 located on the outer circumferential surface of the support 23. With this configuration, the movement of small fruits across each region separated by the separator 24 is suppressed, thereby suppressing contact between the small fruits and the support 23, and reducing the possibility of damage or crushing of the small fruits. To further reduce the possibility of damage or crushing of the small fruits, it is preferable that the separator 24 be made of a flexible material as shown in the first embodiment. 【0046】 <Third Embodiment> In the third embodiment, another form of the rotating member will be described. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the rotating member in the third embodiment, cut along the axial direction. 【0047】 Referring to Figure 5, the rotating member 3 in the third embodiment differs from the rotating member 2 in the second embodiment in the arrangement of the mesh member. Specifically, the mesh member 32 in the third embodiment is positioned in the gap U between multiple support members 33 that are spaced apart along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 31. For example, a mounting fixture 34 is provided on the orthogonal plane S of support members 33 that are perpendicular to the axial direction, and by attaching the mesh member 32 to this mounting fixture 34, the mesh member 32 is positioned in the gap U between adjacent support members 33 in the axial direction. Since both ends of the mesh member 32 in the axial direction are fixed to each support member 33, the mesh member 32 is pulled along the axial direction in the gap U between the support members 33 along the axial direction, so that the tension of the mesh member 32 in the axial direction increases and a release tension can be applied to the mesh member 32. 【0048】 The material of the support 33 is not particularly limited and may be a flexible material as shown in the first embodiment, or a rigid material as shown in the second embodiment. When a mounting fixture 34 is provided on the support 33, it is preferable to make the support 33 out of a rigid material in view of the ease of providing the mounting fixture 34, and it is also preferable that the support 33 itself be made of a flexible material and only the portion of the orthogonal plane S be made of a rigid material. 【0049】 <Fourth Embodiment> In the fourth embodiment, a small fruit stem removal device (hereinafter simply referred to as a stem removal device) equipped with the rotating member 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. 【0050】 Figure 6 is a plan view of the schematic configuration of the stem removal device in the fourth embodiment. Figure 7 is a view taken along arrow AA in Figure 6. In Figure 7, only the rotating member 1, the pressing unit 43, and the conveying unit 44 are shown. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the stem removal device 4 in this embodiment is a stationary device comprising the rotating member 1 described in the first embodiment, an input port 41 for introducing small fruits P into the device, a drive unit 42 for rotating the rotating member 1, a pressing unit 43 for pressing the small fruits P against the rotating member 1, a conveying unit 44 for conveying the small fruits P in the axial direction, and a support base 45 as a housing. Small fruits P introduced from the input port 41 are pressed against the rotating member 1 by the pressing unit 43 while being conveyed by the conveying unit 44, and the mesh member 12 comes into contact with the stem P1 due to the rotation of the rotating member 1, thereby removing the stem P1. The input port 41 can be omitted. 【0051】 <Regarding the drive unit 42> The drive unit 42 is provided on the support base 45, and by rotating the rotation shaft 11 with the drive unit 42, the support body 13 and the mesh member 12 also rotate together with the rotation shaft 11 (i.e., the rotating member 1 rotates). The drive unit 42 also includes a member (not shown) that rotatably supports the rotation shaft 11 of the rotating member 1, and this member can be, for example, a bearing. When starting the drive unit 42, for example, a switch or a button can be used. 【0052】 Methods for rotating the rotating member 1 include a motor-driven method in which the rotating shaft 11 is rotated by a motor, a manual rotation method in which the rotating shaft 11 is rotated by hand, and a passive rotation method in which the rotating member 1 in contact with another rotating member is rotated by the rotation of another rotating member. However, the method is not limited to these, and any known rotation method can be adopted. 【0053】 <Regarding the pressing part 43> The pressing section 43 is composed of pressing rolls 431 to 433 having axial directions that coincide with the axial direction of the rotating member 1, and each is arranged around the rotating member 1. Referring to Figure 7, pressing roll 431 is positioned directly below the rotating member 1, and pressing rolls 432 and 433 are positioned adjacent to the rotating member 1 and pressing roll 431. Pressing rolls 432 and 433 are positioned symmetrically with respect to the rotating member 1 and pressing roll 431. 【0054】 Small fruits P introduced from the input port 41 are positioned to contact the pressing rolls 431 and 432, and are pressed by the rotating member 1 due to the rotation of the pressing rolls 431 and 432. The rotation of the rotating member 1 causes the mesh member 12 to contact the stem P1, and the stem P1 is removed. Even if small fruits P introduced into the device from the input port 41 are positioned to contact the pressing rolls 431 and 433, the stem P1 of the small fruits P is removed in the same manner as described above. In this embodiment, the pressing section 43 also functions as a conveying section 44 (described later) that conveys the small fruits P in the axial direction. 【0055】 In the rotating state when the rotating member 1 is rotated, it is preferable that the adjacent pressing rolls (in this embodiment, pressing rolls 431 and 432, and pressing rolls 431 and 433) rotate in the same direction. With this configuration, when a small fruit P comes into contact with adjacent pressing rolls at the same time, it receives a rotational force from the two pressing rolls that rotates the small fruit P in the same direction. Compared to when the pressing rolls rotate in opposite directions, the small fruit P that is positioned to come into contact with adjacent pressing rolls rotates more easily (rotates on its own axis), making it easier for the mesh member 12 to remove the stem P1. 【0056】 It is preferable that the rotation direction of the pressing rolls 431 to 433 coincides with the rotation direction of the rotating member 1. With this configuration, when a small fruit P comes into contact with the pressing part 43 and the rotating member 1 simultaneously, the small fruit P receives a rotational force from the pressing part 43 and the rotating member 1 that rotates it in the same direction. Compared to when the pressing part 43 and the rotating member 1 rotate in opposite directions, the small fruit P rotates (rotates) more easily, making it easier for the mesh member 12 to remove the stem P1. 【0057】 The material of the pressing portion 43 is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that can press the small fruit P against the rotating member 1. However, in order to further suppress damage to the small fruit P, it is preferable that the material of the part of the pressing portion 43 that comes into contact with the small fruit P be made of a flexible material. For example, a flexible sheet or the like may be placed on the surface of the pressing portion 43, or the pressing portion 43 itself may be made of a flexible material. Flexible materials were described in the first embodiment, so a description will be omitted here. 【0058】 <Regarding the transport section 44> The conveying section 44 is located below the rotating member 1 and consists of a plurality of conveying rolls 441 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 11. That is, the axial direction of the conveying rolls 441 coincides with the axial direction of the rotating member 1. The plurality of conveying rolls 441 are arranged alternately in an up-and-down direction with respect to the direction of arrangement of the conveying rolls 441. 【0059】 Since the surface of the conveying roll 441 is formed in a spiral shape, as the conveying roll 441 rotates, the small fruits P located on the surface of the conveying roll 441 are conveyed in the axial direction. The small fruits P that are fed in from the input port 41 and conveyed to the rotating member 1 by the conveying roll 441 have their stems P1 removed when they come into contact with the rotating member 1 (mesh member 12). Here, it is preferable to use a flexible material (for example, a fibrous brush) for the surface of the conveying roll 441 so that the small fruits P are not damaged during conveying. The number, size, and material of the conveying roll 441 can be appropriately set according to the type and size of the small fruits to be conveyed. 【0060】 The conveying section 44 is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to convey small fruits P, and may be, for example, a roll conveyor, a belt conveyor, a brush conveyor, a conveying drum, or a small fruit polishing machine. In particular, when a small fruit polishing machine is used as the conveying section 44, the surface of the small fruits P is polished while the small fruits P are conveyed, and the stems P1 of the small fruits P are removed by a rotating member, so the amount of work required for handling the small fruits P can be greatly reduced, which is preferable. 【0061】 <Regarding support base 45> The support base 45 also serves as the housing for the stem removal device. Therefore, the support base 45 is sized to accommodate the rotating member 1, the drive unit 42, the pressing unit 43, and the conveying unit 44. 【0062】 To prevent small fruits P introduced into the stem removal device 4 from being thrown out of the device when the stem is removed by the rotating member 1, the upper end of the peripheral wall of the support base 45 is positioned higher than the rotating member 1. 【0063】 <Fifth Embodiment> In the fifth embodiment, another form of the stem removal device equipped with the rotating member 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. 【0064】 Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the stem removal device in the fifth embodiment. Referring to Figure 8, the stem removal device 5 in the fifth embodiment is a portable stem removal device configured to be held by the user, and the rotating member 1 described in the first embodiment is attached to the gripping device 51. The gripping device 51 comprises a gripping part 511 for the user to hold, a drive unit 512 for rotating the rotating member 1, and an activation unit 513 for activating the drive unit 512. By gripping the gripping part 511 and activating the drive unit 512 with the activation unit 513, the small fruit is pressed against the rotating member 1 while the rotating member 1 is rotating, causing the mesh member 12 to come into contact with the stem, and the stem is removed by the rotation of the rotating member 1. 【0065】 Compared to the stem removal device 4 in the fourth embodiment, the stem removal device 5 does not have a pressing part. Therefore, when removing the stem of a small fruit using the stem removal device 5, the small fruit is pinched with the fingers and pressed against the rotating member 1. As the rotating member 1 rotates in this state, the mesh member 12 comes into contact with the stem, and the stem is removed. 【0066】 The stem removal device 5 may be equipped with a cylindrical, bottomed receiving portion 52 with an open tip around the rotating member 1. This configuration prevents small fruits from being thrown off and falling to the ground by the rotation of the rotating member 1. The receiving portion 52 is not particularly limited as long as it can prevent small fruits from falling. For example, it may be a bottomed cylindrical shape with a tapered shape where the opening area increases towards the tip or the other end, or it may be a cylindrical shape without a bottom. 【0067】 In this embodiment, a trigger is used as the activation unit 513, but the form of the activation unit 513 is not limited to this, and it may be a component equipped with a known activation mechanism such as a button or a switch. 【0068】 The stem removal device 5 is user-friendly and portable, thus easing the constraints on the location where stems can be removed from small fruits. 【0069】 (modified version) The stem removal device 4 in the fourth embodiment and the stem removal device 5 in the fifth embodiment described above are equipped with only one rotating member 1. However, the number of rotating members 1 is not limited to this, and the stem removal device may be configured to have multiple rotating members 1 arranged in parallel or in series. This configuration allows for the removal of stems from small fruits at multiple locations, and is particularly effective when there are a large number of small fruits. 【0070】 (modified version) In the stem removal device 4 in the fourth embodiment and the stem removal device 5 in the fifth embodiment described above, the rotating member 1 in the first embodiment is attached. However, the rotating member attached to the stem removal device may be any rotating member according to the present invention, for example, the rotating member 2 in the second embodiment or the rotating member 3 in the third embodiment may be attached. 【0071】 (modified version) The fourth embodiment described above shows the rotating member 1 attached to the support base 45, and the fifth embodiment described above shows the rotating member 1 attached to the gripping device 51. However, the rotating member 1 may be attached to various housings provided in existing food processing lines. This increases its versatility in food processing lines. Furthermore, the rotating member 1 does not necessarily need to be attached to other members (support base 45 or gripping device 51), and the rotating member 1 can be used alone to remove the stems of small fruits. For example, by gripping the rotating shaft 11 of the rotating member 1 in the first embodiment and manually rotating it, while pressing the gripped small fruit against the rotating member 1, the mesh member 12 comes into contact with the stem due to the rotation of the rotating member 1, and the stem is removed. The same applies when using other rotating members in the present invention (for example, the rotating member 2 in the second embodiment or the rotating member 3 in the third embodiment). 【0072】 (modified version) In the fourth embodiment described above, the pressing section 43 also functions as a conveying section 44. However, the pressing section 43 may not function as a conveying section 44 (i.e., the pressing section 43 and the conveying section 44 may be independent and separate components). 【0073】 (modified version) In the fourth embodiment described above, the stem removal device 4 is equipped with a pressing section 43 composed of pressing rolls 431 to 433, but the number of pressing rolls constituting the pressing section 43 may be two or fewer, or four or more. Furthermore, the pressing section is not limited to being composed of a pressing roll; for example, as shown in Figure 9, the bottom wall of the housing can function as the pressing section. Figure 9 shows a modified example of the stem removal device as viewed in the axial direction of the rotating member. This modified example is another form of the stem removal device equipped with the rotating member 1 according to the first embodiment. In the configuration of the stem removal device 6 shown in Figure 9, when the introduced small fruit P rolls in the gap between the rotating member 1 and the bottom wall 61, the small fruit P is pressed against the rotating member 1 by the bottom wall 61, and when the rotating member 1 rotates and the stem P1 of the small fruit P comes into contact with it, the stem P1 can be removed. Furthermore, known pressing members can be used as the pressing part, such as a pressing member that is biased toward a rotating member by an elastic member. Moreover, as in the fifth embodiment, the pressing part itself can be omitted. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0074】 1, 2, 3 Rotating members 4, 5 Small fruit stem removal device 11, 21, 31 Rotating shaft 12, 22, 32 Mesh members 13, 23, 33 Support member 43 Pressing part 51 Gripping device 120 Linear member 431 First pressing roll 432 Second pressing roll 433 Third pressing roll

Claims

[Claim 1] A rotating member for removing the stems of small fruits, which rotates around a rotation axis, The system includes a mesh-like member positioned radially outward from the aforementioned rotating shaft, which rotates together with the rotating shaft and is capable of removing the stems of small fruits when they come into contact with it. A rotating member for removing the calyx of small fruits, characterized by the above features. [Claim 2] The mesh-like member is stretched with a predetermined tension so that when a small fruit is pressed and its stem comes into contact with the mesh-like member while the rotating member is rotating around its axis, the stem can be removed. A rotating member for removing the stem of a small fruit, as described in claim 1. [Claim 3] The system further comprises a support body positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft to support the mesh member. A rotating member for removing the calyx of a small fruit, as described in claim 2. [Claim 4] The mesh member is arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the support, The support has the flexibility to prevent the small fruit from being crushed when it is pressed against the support in the rotating state. A rotating member for removing the stem of a small fruit, as described in claim 3. [Claim 5] The mesh-like member is made of a material that resists the movement of the stem of a small fruit when it comes into contact with the stem of the small fruit in the rotating state. A rotating member for removing the calyx of a small fruit, as described in claim 2. [Claim 6] The linear members, which constitute the mesh-like member and are arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions, have a surface shape that resists the movement of the calyx of a small fruit when they come into contact with it during the rotational state. A rotating member for removing the calyx of a small fruit, as described in claim 2. [Claim 7] The mesh opening of the mesh portion of the aforementioned mesh member is 3 mm or more and 15 mm or less. A rotating member for removing the stem of a small fruit, as described in claim 1. [Claim 8] The small fruit is a cherry tomato. A rotating member for removing the stem of a small fruit according to any one of claims 1 to 7. [Claim 9] A device for removing the calyx from small fruits, The rotating member is provided as described in claim 1. A device for removing the calyx of small fruits, characterized by the following features. [Claim 10] The rotating member is equipped with a pressing section for pressing small fruits. A small fruit calyx removal device according to claim 9, characterized in that [Claim 11] The pressing section is composed of a pressing roll having an axis that coincides with the axis of the rotating member. A small fruit calyx removal device according to claim 10, characterized in that [Claim 12] In the driven state of the small fruit stem removal device, the rotation direction of the pressing roll coincides with the rotation direction of the rotating member. The small fruit calyx removal device according to claim 11, characterized in that [Claim 13] The pressing portion is, A first pressing roll positioned directly below the rotating member, The rotating member and the second and third pressing rolls are arranged adjacent to the first pressing roll, Equipped with, The second and third pressing rolls are positioned symmetrically with respect to the rotating member and the first pressing roll. A small fruit calyx removal device according to claim 12, characterized in that [Claim 14] The first pressing roll, the second pressing roll, and the third pressing roll convey small fruits in the axial direction. A small fruit calyx removal device according to claim 13, characterized in that [Claim 15] The rotating member is attached to a gripping device held by the user and is configured to be portable. A small fruit calyx removal device according to claim 9, characterized in that

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